Eritrea

Located in northeast Africa, Eritrea was once part of Ethiopia. With
a burning thirst for independence, a 30-year struggle for freedom culminated
in the desired goal with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces.
A 1993 referendum overwhelmingly approved in favour of independence.

The border dispute which resulted in war with Ethiopia late in the
1990's was resolved by the signing of a peace treaty in December 2000
under UN auspices.

A UN peacekeeping operation monitors a 25 km-wide Temporary Security
Zone on the border with Ethiopia.

One of the youngest independent countries, Eritrea shares its border
with Ethiopia in the south, Sudan in the west, and Djibouti in the southeast.
The east and northeast of this African country has a wide coastline
with the Red Sea.
The topography of Eritrea is varied with the world's longest mountain
range, the Great Rift Valley, virtually bisecting the country. At 3018
m above sea level, Soira, located in the heart of the country, is the
highest point of the country.